Merry-go-round



v June 25, 1929. F, D, SWADER 1,718,718

MERRY-GO-ROUND Filed July 6, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l rz Byhwm Attorney F. D. SWADER MERRY-cremona June' 25, 1929.

Filed July 6. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Cir Patented June 25, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MERRY-GO-ROUND.

Application filed July 6, 1928. Serial No. 29,820.

yllhe present invention relates to improvements in roundabouts and has reference more particularly to a merry-go-round that is inanually operated by the occupants of the saine.

One ot the important objects oi the present invention is to provide a inerry-go-round for children that will afilord great amusement as well as exercise to a group ot children occupying the seats.

A further object is to provide a merry-goround oit the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further well adapted to the purpose lfor which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages'will become apl'iarent during the course of the itollowing description.

ln the accon'rpanying` drawings, 'iorining a part ot this specilication. and :in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the saine:

Figure 1 is a top plan view ot the merrygo-round embodying my invention` Figure 2 is a side elevation thereot, parts' being shown in section,

Figure S is an enlarged detail ot the stationary vertical spindle showing the manner in which the rotatable sleeve is ar anged thereon and also disclosing the radial arrn that is iixediy secured at its inner end on the upper end ot the spindle and Figure 4 is a detail oit one of the seat ineinbers.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preterred embodiment ot my inventiom the numeral l designates an upright or post that anchored at its lower end in the ground and the upper end of this post externally threaded tor receiving thereon an axle unit that includes a socket 2 that is internally threaded for engagement with the upper threaded end ot the post or upright 1.

A tapered spindle 3 extends upwardly from the top of this socket member 2 and an annular raceway 4 is iiorrned also in the top ot the socket member 2 aroun d the lower end ot the spindle as more clearly shown in Figure 3 and the purpose thereofwill be presently described.

The upper end of the vertical spindle 3 is threaded as shown at 5 and a substantially square projection 6 is formed on the upper eX- treniity of the spindle as also disclosed in Figure 3 and for a purpose also to be presently described.

A tapered `sleeve `7 is mounted for rotation upon the spindle 3 and the lower end of this sleeve is formed with an internal ball race shown at 8in Figure 3 adapted to cooperate with the race 4 and the ball 9.

The upper end of the sleeve 7 is formed with a ball race shown at 10 which is mounted for inoveinent on the ball bearings 11, and cooperatingwith the ball race 1() is the threaded ring 12 that is threaded on the upper threaded end 5 ot the spindle 3 and a cap 13 is disposed over the ring and is also threaded on the upper end ot the spindle as also shown in Figure 3.

The invention further comprehends the provision oi a :Frame that is rotatable about the upright or post 1 as a center and this rotatable trarne which is denoted generally by the reference character 14 in addition to in cluding the rotatable sleeve 7, also comprises the radially disposed arms 15 that are arranged in pairs, the inner ends thereof being secured tothe lower portion of the sleeve through the inediuni of the attaching ears 16.

A plurality ot rods 17 also extend radially from the sleeve and are connected at their inner ends to the upper portion of the sleeve 7 through the medium ot the apertured ears 18 and as is clearly shown in Figure 1, one

The outer ends ot each pair et radial arms 15 and the adj acent spaced rods are connected to a'bracket 19 and the several brackets are interconnected to each other by means ot the connecting rod shown at 2O in Figure 1.

A pulley 21 is suspended trom the top oit each bracket and the purpose will also be presently described. A seat forming unit denoted by the reference character 22 in Figure 4 is suspended 'from the outer ends ot the respective supporting arms 15 by means of the suspensionchains 23 and the hanger unit 24.

A crank arm 25 is formed at its inner end with a hub 26, the bore of which is square to accommodate the square projection 6 formed on the upper end ot the spindle 3 and a set screw 27 Secures the hub oi the crank arm on the square projecting end ot the spindle. This crank arm 25 extends radially with respect to the spindle and the outer end thereof is provided with the upwardly disposed portion 28 that is of circular form.

Mounted to rotate on and about this outof such rods is provided for each pair of arms wardly projecting portion 28 is the rotary head 29 that is in theform of a disk having a. 4beveled hub. It will beobserved that the outer end of the crank arm is arranged off center ot y movement of the sleeve 7 and furthermore the disk 29 is formed with a series of annular spaced openings whereby the inner ends of the actuating cables 30 maybe secured to the rotary head.

There are as many cables provided as there are seats, one being associated with each seat and as clearly shown,'the outer ends of these cables are trained over the respective pulleys and extend downwardly adjacent the seat 22 and an actuating handle 3l is secured to the outer free end of each cable.

The operation of my improved merry-goround is thought to be readily obvious from the construction shown and described and it will be understood that the speed of rotation ofthe frame that carries the seats may be controlled by the children occupying seats through the medium of the actuation of the cables 30.

A device of the above mentioned character will not only afford amusement but will also provide exercise for the children by bringing into play all of the muscles of the body.

The simplicity of my structure enables the same to be readily and easily assembled or disassembled and will furthermore be stron@ and durable 'and at all times positive and etiibcient in its operation. j

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, itis to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the Ispirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Inra merry-go-round, a central fixed post, a vertical spindle fixedly secured on the upper end ofthe post, a sleeve mounted for rotation on the spindle, arms extending radially from said sleeve, a bracket carried by the outer end v of each arm'. a seat suspended from each bracket, a pulley carried by each bracket, a

crank arm tixedly secured at its inner end on the upper end of the spindle, said arm being Y disposed radially with respect to the spindle the outer end Of the crank arm being disposed upwardly, ahead mounted for rotation on the upwardly disposed outer end of said crank arm, aseries of actuating cables connected at their inner ends to said rotatable head extending radially therefrom, said cables being trained over the respective pulleys and hanging downwardly adjacent the respective seats.

2. In a merry-go-round, a central fixed post. a vertical spindle secured on the upper end of the post, a sleeve mounted ilor rotation on said Spindle, arms extending radially from the sleeve and arranged in pairs, a stay rod for each pair of arms, a bracket secured to the outer ends of each pair of arms and its respective stay rod. a. pulley carried by each bracket, a seat suspended from each pair ol arms at the outer end thereof, connecting rods between the several brackets. a rigidly disposed crank arm tixedly secured at its inner end on the upper end of the spindle, the outer end of the crank arm being directed l'lpwardly, a rotatable disk mounted on the upwardly directed outer end of the crank arm. and a series of cables connected at their inner ends to the rotatable disk, said cables being trained over said pulleys and disposed downwardly adjacent the respective seat.

3. In a merry-go-round, a fixed post, un axle unit removably secured on the upper end ot said post, said axle unit including a socket member for receiving the upper end of the post, a spindle extending upwardly from the top of the socket member, the top of said socket member being formed with an annular ball race around the lower )ortion of the spindle, the upper end of the spindle being threaded, a non-circular projection formed on the upper end of said spindle. a sleeve mounted for rotation on the spindle, the lower end of the sleeve being formed with a ball race, ball bearings arranged in the annular ball race 'lormed in the upper portion of the socket member, a ball bearing unit for association with the upper end of the rotatable sleeve and threaded portion of the spindle, arms extending radially from the sleeve, seats suspended from the outer ends of the arms, a crank arm trictionally secured at its inner end on the non-circular projection formed on the upper end ot the spindle, a rotary disk mounted on the outer end of the radially disposed crank arm, an operating means for the merry-goround controlled by the occupants of the seats, said means having connection with the rotary disk.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

FRANCIS D. SIVADER. 

